A believer
“I might not have another chance” Neeru whispered tearfully
“Are you OK?” Avyaan panicked
They were sitting cross legged on the floor in his apartment in front of the make shift shrine
The house smelled like a mix of north and south Indian festival food
There was marigold strung all over the living room thanks to the maid’s crazy purchase
“I am.. I am” she whispered wiping her eyes off with the edge of her pallu
Neeru Singh had showed up an hour ago with a silver thali covered with a silk and lace trimmed handkerchief, and bags of gifts
Samidha could not contain her elation. Her eyes sparkled. Toast circled her smacking his furry tail on her leg
“How can u fast or do pooja with the dog?” Neeru made a face
“He wont bite… or do anything” Samidha was a believer now
“U are not scared?”
“I am…when I am alone… Avi is here” she smiled
In it was sweets, and a gold coin for Samidha among other things
Avi was still in the shower Rumi had just left and Samidha was wrapping a zari trimmed Kota silk saree in pink around her bulge
“Happy Diwali” Samidha gushed happily
“Avi nahi hai?” she asked
“He isthe shower, we came in the afternoon, he was sleeping, I woke him up” she declared proudly
Neeru let her eyes wander shamelessly
“House looks nice”
“I did it all by myself” Samidha fished for compliments
Samidha almost tripped over her saree rushing into the kitchen
Neeru stopped her and draped the saree around her, kneeling down
“Thank you”
“Arey Ihad two of my own, I know”
Neeru glanced at her blouse with a big O like gap around her chest”
“I had a couple of neutral color blouse made and wore those, I even had readymade velvet ones that u slip over your head”
“I had…but couldn’t find” Samidha nodded
“Bas aise wrap kar lena, dikhega nahi” she arranged her pallu for her
“I can make tea”
“I will have kheer, if u made some” Neeru smiled fondly
Samidha removed the lid it was hot it clattered to the floor
Avi came into the kitchen rubbing his head with the towel
“Don’t tell me we have a cat in the house” he removed his towel and was shocked to his mother
“MAA?”
“I came to wish you guys” Neeru was ashamed
“Greattt…she has been cooking up a storm… she even promises to do pooja religiously” he mocked
“I know Lakshmi Ashtotra and Ganesha pancharatna”
Neeru smiled weakly
“Come sit ma, I will hopefully look decent soon”
Samidha made chai anyway
Toast followed her faithfully, and when was in the living room he looked the new shrine longingly hoping to tip over the figurines
“U stay away…” she mumbled arranging more things around it
“Nice saree” Avi mumbled “Did Ma bring it?”
“NO ITS MINE”
“Haha beta… I got her a peach color one and green and gold” Neeru peeked into her bag
“Niice… she likes her shorts and tee”
“I WEAR sarees”
“This one is particularly well wrapped” he mocked
“Thanks Neeru laughed
They gathered around the shrine later
Samidha chanted and sang breathlessly
Neeru broke down at the end of it and declared she wanted to be part of this baby’s life
“Does Dad know?” Avi demanded
“Hum kahe nahi… I told him I am going to Sarvansh’s”
He couldn’t believe his Mum was so dumb
“Like he wont follow u?”
“Let him find out” she said softly
Samidha acted like she was invisible
“If u are here to convince me to eventually abandon her it wont happen Ma” he said softly
“How can u even say that?” Neeru was deeply hurt
“I know…I know Dad Ma… it could all be his plan” he said
“Trust me beta”
Avi looked at Samidha
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